Bergren Forum program to focus on French Royal Lottery, Revolution
10/04/10

Robert Kruckeberg, visiting assistant professor of history at Alfred University, will present “The French Royal Lottery (1776-1793) and the French Revolution: The Rise of Financial Capitalism and Modern Political Culture” on Thursday, Oct. 14, during AU’s Bergren Forum at 12:10 p.m., in Powell Campus Center’s Nevins Theatre. This event is free of charge and open to the public.

Kruckeberg will discuss the Royal Lottery and the French Revolution within the larger context of the financial innovations of the period which included things like the rise of insurance, stock trading, and collateralized debt obligations. He will also suggest that the rise of modern financial capitalism, represented by the Royal Lottery, played an integral part in the rise of modern political culture.

In addition, he will make some comparisons between the current financial crisis, beginning in 2008, and the financial innovations at the end of Old Regime France.

Kruckeberg earned a bachelor of arts degree cum laude in history and political science and master of arts degree in history from the University of North Texas, and a Ph. D. from the University of Michigan.

His publications include “The Loterie de l’École Militaire: Making the Lottery Noble and Patriotic,” in “Proceedings of the Western Society for French History” and “Lotteries,” translation of “loteries.” in “The Encyclopedia of Diderot and d'Alembert: Collaborative Translation Project.”

Kruckeberg’s academic interests include France-Early Modern and Modern, Early Modern England, Early Modern and Modern European History, Atlantic and Caribbean History, Cultural and Intellectual History and Witchcraft. He was the recipient of the Rackham One Term Dissertation Award from the University of Michigan.

The Bergren Forum, sponsored by the Alfred University Division of Human Studies, meets Thursdays during each academic semester at the University. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch; coffee and tea will be available.